We are traveling to London in September. Because we're using miles we ended up with Aer Lingus from Seattle to Dublin with an hour and half layover before heading on to London (still with Aer Lingus). Having never flown international before, is that enough time to change planes in Dublin and do we have to do any kind of customs clearance?
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6814 posts
It should be enough time, as long as your first flight is on time. The good news is that Aer Lingus has a LOT of flights onward to London, so in the event you miss your original flight (which probably is scheduled to arrive in DUB in the morning), you should have multiple options to make the last leg to London. I would not worry about the connection.
Posted by
New Zealand
496 posts
What David said - IF you booked this is as one ticket. If you booked 2 separate tickets and your first flight is late you will have to rebook the second at your own cost
Posted by
Freedonia
16420 posts
You will go through immigration in Dublin but not in London.
Posted by
New Zealand
496 posts
UK is not in the Schengen there will be immigration in London
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2600 posts
Immigration will be in Dublin.
No passport control going from Ireland to the UK due to Common Travel Area.
Posted by
Freedonia
16420 posts
As Ramblin On stated, due to the "Common Travel Area" there is no passport control from Ireland and the UK. (I have done this numerous times.)
The only difference is that if you enter the UK directly, you get to stay up to six months. Entering from ireland and the stay is only three months.
Neither Ireland nor the UK is in Schengen.
If you are going back to Dublin, and plan to stay, you will got through Irish immigration. Only UK and Irish citizens are exempt due to CTA. All others must go through passport control. (Again, I've done this numerous times.)
And....if you are changing planes in Dublin to fly BACK to the USA, you will go through US immigration and customs in Dublin. This way, when you land in Seattle, you just get off the plane and go.
Posted by
New York, NY
4071 posts
Stephanie, an important question was asked upthread. Are you flying on one itinerary between Seattle and London or are these two separate tickets and therefore two separate purchases? This is information we need to know if we are to help you.
Posted by
OP
10 posts
Sorry for not responding sooner- yes, the flight was booked as one ticket. Seattle to London with an hour and a half layover and plane change in Dublin. Thanks everyone for the input. 😊
Posted by
1608 posts
In case you missed it a poster in a similar thread provided the Dublin airport link explaining how to connect to other flights. Since you are on one ticket you can use the flight connections facility: https://www.dublinairport.com/flight-information/connections/connection-guide
Posted by
DFW TX, USA
457 posts
As long as any bags you checked in Seattle are going straight through, you should be fine with a 1.5 hour layover ... but if you have to pick them up, go through customs and recheck them, it may be shaving it a little to close for comfort, especially if your flight arrives a little late (maybe look at the stats to see what percentage the flight arrives on time) ... I have never done this specific trip so can't speak from experience but might be something to explore and prepare for ... this is part of the reason I don't, if at all possible, check bags.